Lightning-Quick UCB Touring Company to Land at PTC for Two-Night Stand

Local audiences can get ready for some high-octane laughter to finish out 2017 when Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) welcomes the venerable Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company for a two-night stand.

The UCB TourCo brings some of the best improv comedians from the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre to new audiences around the country. On Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2 at 8:00pm, they will create two new shows right before the audience's eyes while giving them the gift of a fast-paced, hilarious form of theatre.

In addition, PTC is hosting two special events. On Dec 2 at 5:30 noted local improviser Bobbi Block is conducting an improv workshop, followed by a Very Funny Happy Hour with some of the top comedy and improv companies in the city.

The performances will be at Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street). Tickets are on sale for $25-45 at philatheatreco.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420.

"Upright Citizens Brigade has proven to be fertile ground for new comedic talent and we are thrilled to showcase these four young improv artists," said Producing Artistic Director, Paige Price. "Improv theatre is raw, organic, quick and hilarious, and UCB is one of the best-known companies in the country. They have theaters and training centers in Los Angeles and New York teaching improvisation and sketch comedy classes, andproduce a 5-star rated long-form comedy podcast. The touring company takes that level of talent on the road, so you'll want to take note - you never know where you'll see these artists next."

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres, founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh have been home to some of the biggest stars in comedy.

Their work has appeared in TV shows like Broad City, Saturday Night Live, Silicon Valley, Veep, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, to films such as Bridesmaids, The Hangover, and The Heat, as well as the writing rooms of Key and Peele, The Daily Show, Inside Amy Schumer, among many others.

The UCB Touring Company show is split into two halves. In the first half, the four improvisers create scenes from an audience interview. In the second half, with a one-word suggestion from an audience member, the foursome creates hilarious scenes that will leave the audience rolling in the aisles. The show is a 90-minute, unscripted, and totally improvised performance. Four improvisers at the top of their game offer a high-energy, surprising, and hilarious show that has never been seen before and will never be seen again.

Performing in this show are Andy Bustillos, Alex Song, Molly Thomas and Zack Willis. They are members of UCB's celebrated house teams and have written for and performed in film, television and theatre around the country.

Prior to the December 2 performance, PTC is hosting Improv Your Life, an improv comedy workshop hosted by Bobbi Block of Tongue & Groove Spontaneous Theater. At 5:30 p.m., Block will lead anyone who wants to explore improv in a free workshop. Accountant, barista or retiree, attendees will playfully learn the skills that improv performers use, and how to apply those skills offstage in everyday life. The core principles of improv include: active listening, releasing internal scripts (quieting that voice inside your head!), comfort with the unknown, releasing fear of making a mistake, flexibility in the face of disruption, and being present (in the moment). Admission is limited to 40 people and is free with a purchase of a ticket to the show. Space can be reserved by calling PTC's Audience Services staff at 215-985-0420 x2.

Then at 7 p.m., right before the UCB TourCo takes the stage for their final show, PTC celebrates comedy across the City of Brotherly Love with A Very Funny Happy Hour with hosts Bobbi Block from Tongue and Groove; Don Montrey from CSZ Philadelphia -- the home of ComedySportz, and Greg Maughan from Philly Improv Theater. Everyone who attends and has a UCB show ticket will be entered to win free classes and tickets to future shows at Tongue and Groove, ComedySportz and Philly Improv Theatre. The winners will be drawn after the 8 p.m. performance.

Performance Schedule: Friday, December 1 at 8:00pm and Saturday, December 2 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $25-$45 at philatheatreco.org, at the box-office, or by calling 215-985-0420. Group rates are available for 10 or more tickets.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

Andy Bustillos is an improviser/actor/writer who has been studying at UCB since 2010. He is a host of B.Y.O.T. at UCB East, part of the UCB Touring Company, on the Lloyd Team Camp and can be seen in commercials for Comcast, Taco Bell, Delta, and Trojan Condoms as well as the Hulu Show Deadbeat, on HBO's Girls, The OA, Divorce, and was recently chosen as an actor for NBC's 2015 Scene Showcase.

Alex Song is a writer, actor, and comedian based in New York. She has written for shows including NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, HBO's Night of Too Many Stars, and truTV's Comedy Knockout. As an actor, Alex has appeared on MTV's Girl Code, The Chris Gethard Show, IFC, Funny or Die, and more, and can be seen in the upcoming Netflix movie, The Week Of. At UCB, she performs on Harold Night and co-hosts Asian AF, and has been on Maude Night and the UCB Touring Company. Other UCB credits include The Terry Withers Mysteries, Simon's Street, and Way Past Your Bedtime. Alex is a proud alum of NYU sketch team Hammerkatz and improv team Dangerbox.

Molly Thomas is an improvisor, actor and writer based in New York City. Current UCB Shows: Higgins: The Instagram Show, We Know How You Die!, and the Lady Jam! Previous UCB shows: Sherlock & Cookies, Hotspur, the Jam at UCB East as well as the sketch show Standards & Practices. Recently, Molly performed We Know How You Die! in DC at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre. She starred Off-Broadway in the world premiere of Beau Willimon's play Breathing Time. Molly has been featured in videos on Late Night with Seth Meyers, The President Show, Above Average, UCBComedy, Nickelodeon and MTV. Molly studied Theatre and English at Indiana University. She studied acting, set building, ticket taking, bathroom maintenance and snow shoveling at Jeff Daniels' Purple Rose Theatre Company.

Zack Willis grew up in Westchester County, NY. He graduated from Emerson College in Boston and has been performing at UCB since 2011. He has been teaching there since 2014. He currently performs in NYC on Saturday nights with his team, Women & Men. He performs regularly with Rumpleteaser, UCB's musical improv team. He also performs around the country with UCB TourCo. Zack's writing has appeared on Funny Or Die and The Onion Video.

Philadelphia Theatre Company continues its commitment to sharing the unique American experience and presents an exciting festival-style theatre season under the leadership of new Producing Artistic Director Price. The ambitious 2017-2018 line-up includes plays, music, comedy, and political commentary and features top local and national voices. With Price at the helm of the company, PTC begins a bold new chapter for the ground-breaking organization.

The season began with the World Premiere of Bob Garfield's Ruggedly Jewish, and Kathleen Turner's cabaret debut. Aaron Davidman's Wrestling Jerusalem had an extended run. On the anniversary of the 2016 election, the company welcomed renowned and controversial monologist Mike Daisey. The company is hosting A Dream Is A Wish: Princess Holiday Concert (December 17) featuring everyone's favorite princesses in an afternoon sing-along treat for all-ages. They are presenting Musical Thrones: A Parody of Ice and Fire, a giddy and raucous parody of the Emmy Award-winning HBO show (February 9 - 10); and the Off-Broadway hit play, Small Mouth Sounds (March 13 - April 1).

Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) is a leading regional theater company that produces, develops, and presents entertaining and imaginative contemporary theater focused on the American experience. PTC balances its Philadelphia roots with a national point of view that combines a taste for adventure with a dedication to new American plays and musicals.

Founded in 1974, PTC has presented 140 world and Philadelphia premieres. More than 50 percent of PTC's world premieres have moved on to New York and other major cities, helping to earn Philadelphia a national reputation as a hub for new play development. PTC has received more than 180 nominations and 53 awards from the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. In 2007, PTC was instrumental in expanding Philadelphia's thriving cultural corridor by opening the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on the Avenue of the Arts.

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